“No pain, no gain” is the usual motto in the quest for beauty especially for people who go for painful cosmetic surgeries to achieve a look that could launch a thousand ship. Even with available painless solutions, the same motto goes in the battle against unwanted hair. With extremely high cost, one must hurt the pocket to gain a beautiful and hair-free smooth skin.

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. About 900,000 laser hair removal treatments were performed in the United States alone, according to the latest laser hair removal statistics. It is projected to increase by 21 percent every year. Giving better and longer lasting result, laser treatment served as the ultimate solution to endless unwanted hair problem that conventional hair removal methods such as shaving, threading, and waxing cannot stop.

Laser hair treatment uses a low energy laser beam that is non-invasively directed to the skin so dark pigments in the hair follicle can absorb it and break down the roots where hair grows to eventually reduce if not remove unwanted hair on the face, upper lip, neck, chest, breast area, abdomen, bikini line, legs, back, and underarms. Laser hair removal is not permanent but can reduce growth of unwanted hair up to seven years. After treatment, the hair also grows back finer and lighter in color giving a person an almost invisible hair. Its procedure is also relatively painless leading to increasingly huge demand for the service.

How much does laser hair removal cost?

Cost is one of the most challenging issues in laser hair removal. The painless treatment for very long zero-hair days comes with a very high price. For instance, a Brazilian laser hair removal cost $130 in one session and removing unwanted hair in the bikini area takes more than one session. The cost of laser hair removal  also varies in different areas of the world.

Different factors affect the cost of laser hair removal. It includes laser type, hair count, target body part, pricing schemes, and discounts and packages.

Laser Types

The different types of laser beam applied in a laser hair treatment determine the cost of laser hair removal. Below are some of the laser beams popularly used for removing unwanted hair.

• Alexandrite Laser. It is the fastest laser beam with an up to 18mm large spot size and high repetition rate. Alexandrite laser is often used in treating large body parts such as the back and applied to people with fair to olive complexions.

• Diode Laser. It has a longer wavelength that deeply penetrates into the skin and hair follicles. Diode laser, however, has smaller spot size that can lead to longer time of treatment and higher expense.

• YAG Laser. It is the only laser beam that is safe to use for tanned skin, which is prohibited in general laser hair removal procedure. So if you’re tanned but in a hurry to get rid of hair, YAG laser beam can do the work.

Hair Count

The thicker the hair, the more expensive is the laser hair removal cost, but not in all cases. Although true that thick hair takes more time to treat, a person’s hair growth pattern or the speed and volume length a hair grows can also affect if more or lesser money will be spent in laser hair removal. Some hair after treatment grows fast but in lesser or thinner volume while some grow slow but in thick volume.

Targeted Body Part

Price will also be based on what part of the body with unwanted hair to be treated. The back, chest, and abdomen are usually the most expensive to treat because of the big coverage of the treatment.

Pricing Schemes

Every clinic has different pricing schemes that also affect laser hair removal cost. The schemes are designed to entice more clients and make their services more profitable.

Fixed Pricing. With the stiff competition in the market, most clinics now offers fixed or flat rates for laser hair removal no matter how thick, fine or coarse the hair.

Time-based Pricing. Some clinics charge clients based on the number of minutes or hours a particular laser hair treatment takes. It is usually based on per 15 minute session. If pegged at $65 per 15 minutes, for instance, back hair laser removal that takes an hour would cost $260.

Per Pulse Pricing. Laser hair removal cost can also be based on the number of laser pulses used to remove unwanted hair in a particular body part. A pulse is the heat energy that laser fires. Laser emits one pulse per second that can already rid hundreds of hair. A pulse may cost £1 at a minimum of 75 pulses.

Below is a list of estimated laser hair removal costs per area:

Upper Lip : $65 – $90 Chin : $65 – $90 Full Beard : $130 – $175 Full Face : $145 – $225 Upper Eyebrows : $55 – $95 Chest : $120 – $225 Abdomen : $120 – $225 Full Back : $240 – $350 Shoulders : $100 – $210 Hands or Feet : $55 – $90 Under Arms : $65 – $90 Bikini Line : $65 – $130 Full Pubic : $145 – $210 Buttocks : $150 – $190 Full Arms : $230 – $350 Full Legs : $270 – $510

*Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Summing up the charges, a full body laser hair removal cost can go as high as $3000 in just one session.

Discounts and Packages

Laser hair removal cost can get a bit cheaper in some clinics offering discounts and packages. Discounts can be obtained if payment is made in advance and a lot of services are availed in one visit.

Indeed, laser hair removal cost is no joke. The treatment to nearly zero hair smooth skin involves spending a highly valuable amount of money. A high quality service should be ensured in getting the treatment. A licensed dermatologist, who has a vast experience in dealing with complications laser hair treatment may bring, should perform the procedure. In other words, always make sure to get the treatment that would really give value for your money.